Twenty-Two

Welcome to a new age, and in six months, a new year!

Supposedly, from this age on, there are little milestones left for me to look forward to. But, up until this point, there has been so many.

At age 10, I hit the double-digits milestone. Then at age 13, I was officially a teenager. A year later, I could go to church dances and slow dance with the boys (which turned out to be a rare occurrence, since many people struggled to ask one another to dance). Age 16 was sweet because I could finally date boys! Dates also turned out to be a rare occurrence. Age 18 granted me freedom and, for Nebraskans, age 19 legally solidified that freedom. For many in the United States, age 21 meant they could start drinking alcohol. I don’t drink, but I did use the emphasis on the special day to party in my own way.

Now, I’m at age 22. It’s a cool age. The one where you listen to that Taylor Swift song, whether you like it or not. But, what am I supposed to get excited about after this?

Turning 25 and being able to rent cars? That has some appeal. . .There’s also age 50. The “over the hill” age. And, I suppose when I get senior discounts, that will be nice.

These upcoming ages seem alright, but they differ so much from the hopes contained in past milestones. How does one cope with this future of uncertainty? With so little upcoming excitement?

Perhaps, they don’t.

It’s not news that anxiety has risen over the past few decades, and it’s impact largely effects adults age 18-30. Even in the past year alone it has worsened, COVID-19 adding to the issue by isolating millions of people.

With little worldly direction as to what the future years contain for me, I now need to decide for myself what I want the future to be. This is no easy feat, hence the anxiety. Things won’t go according to the plan. . .who knows how many times? I’ll need (and want) an education; a job; money for bills, food, and necessities; and I’ll especially need guidance from God and hope.

This next week I am going to find ways that increase hope and I am going to share them in my next article. It’s not a lot of time to create an answer to solve all anxious ridden, hopeless problems. But, it’s enough time to start getting us equipped with a better outlook for the future.

Thanks for a good time 21. Here’s to 22.